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June 12, 2024
Glaucoma is a progressive condition that can ultimately lead to vision loss. The optic nerve, which helps you see, becomes compromised and over time, this can affect your vision and lead to blindness.
Your OOMC ophthalmologist can monitor, diagnose, and treat glaucoma to help you maintain your vision and make the most of your eye health.
There are several tests that your ophthalmologist can use to diagnose your glaucoma and determine the type of glaucoma you may have.
If you have glasses or contacts, you’ve likely undergone a dilated eye exam before. Eye drops dilate your pupil to allow your doctor to see your retina and optic nerve to determine if there is any damage or glaucoma present.
Eyes with glaucoma have higher pressure than ones that don’t. An eye pressure check can measure the surface of your eye and flatten the cornea to determine if there is any eye pressure that indicates the presence of glaucoma.
An angle exam, also called a gonioscopy, measures the angle of your eye’s drainage system. If the system is blocked, this can indicate glaucoma.
An optic nerve imaging test takes photos of your retina and optic nerve. Each image taken during this test maps a layer of your eye tissue, which your ophthalmologist can study for signs of glaucoma.
A visual field test can determine if you have vision loss in specific parts of your eyesight. This test can also reveal how severe a case of glaucoma is and monitor its progress.
Treatment options for glaucoma include medications and outpatient surgical procedures. Our team will evaluate your glaucoma and recommend personalized treatment options that help preserve your eyesight.
Eye drops are a common medication option for treating glaucoma. Several types of eye drops can help lower eye pressure and stop the progression of glaucoma.
Laser Trabeculoplasty is an in-office laser procedure that drains fluid from your eye, which lowers eye pressure and slows the progression of glaucoma. This is a minimally invasive treatment option; you can go home the same day.
If you have narrow angles, closed-angle glaucoma, or pigmentary glaucoma, your provider may recommend a laser iridotomy. In this procedure, your surgeon will make a small hole in your iris for drainage and to reduce eye pressure.
A xen gel stent is a minimally invasive surgical option that places a stent in the eye to drain fluid and prevent vision loss.
A trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure in which your surgeon will create a new drainage system for your eye, bypassing a blocked drainage mechanism and reducing eye pressure.
One of our glaucoma surgeons will place a glaucoma device, a tube shunt, in your eye to drain fluid and bypass a blocked natural draining system.
ECP is a laser procedure that combines cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment. A small camera and an attached laser lower your eye pressure while your surgical team treats your cataracts.
MIGS is a newer surgical technique that lowers eye pressure using smaller incisions than traditional surgical options. This option has a quicker recovery time and less overall risk.
If you believe that you’re developing glaucoma or require treatment for already diagnosed glaucoma, schedule an appointment at your local OOMC practice. Our team will provide a treatment plan that’s individualized to your glaucoma. Contact us to schedule an appointment to test and treat glaucoma today.
